LGFA Intermediate Championship Final: Skryne 2-14, St. Ultans 1-11

Skryne Crowned Intermediate Ladies Champions of Meath!

Saturday, 27th September – Bective GAA

Full Time: Skryne 2-14, St. Ultans 1-11

Skryne Intermediate Ladies were crowned Intermediate Ladies Football Champions of Meath after a superb all-round team performance saw them overcome St. Ultans in a thrilling final in Bective on Saturday afternoon.

This was a game that had everything: intensity, skill, resilience, and a second-half display full of character and quality to seal a famous win for Skryne.

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First Half – Holding Their Nerve

St. Ultans started brightly, registering the opening score of the game and then striking for the first goal. They were awarded a penalty midway through the half, but kicked it over the bar, a let-off that kept Skryne within touching distance.

Throughout the half, Skryne remained composed. Every player worked tirelessly, chipping away at the scoreboard and keeping Ultans from pulling away. A crucial moment came when the Skryne defence was tested, and Colleen Jordan produced a brilliant save late in the half to deny a second Ultans goal.

The defensive unit of Ciara Cowley, Niamh Cowley, and Ailish Lenehan, along with half backs Kate Gibbons, Lizzie Moreland, and Aisling O’Connor, were immense. They put in superb tackles, made vital interceptions, and forced Ultans into difficult shooting positions. Niamh O’Brien, playing a key role in supporting the defence, was calm and composed throughout, helping Skryne weather the early storm.

At midfield, Catriona Keoghan and Áine Keogh covered every blade of grass, linking defence and attack and providing a platform for the forwards to build from.

In attack, the Skryne forwards moved the ball with pace and accuracy. Ellie Murphy (0-2), Ciara Smyth (0-2), and Amy O’Dowd (0-4) kept the scoreboard ticking over with excellent scores, while Fiona O’Rourke was heavily involved in creating chances and linking the play.

Half-time score: St. Ultans 1-9 – Skryne 0-8

Second Half – Skryne Step Up

Skryne emerged for the second half with purpose and intensity. Winning the throw-in, they immediately launched a wave of attacks. Ciara Smyth, Amy O’Dowd, and Áine Keogh were central to the early movements, linking beautifully with Fiona O’Rourke and the forward line to create space and openings. Two quick scores brought the deficit down to a single point and lifted the entire team.

The breakthrough moment came when Skryne worked the ball superbly from back to front — a flowing team move finished brilliantly by Róisín McManus, who buried the ball into the net to give Skryne the lead for the first time.

From there, the team grew in confidence. Ultans struggled to find space, with the Skryne defence shutting them down at every opportunity.

The defining moment of the match came late on. A pinpoint kickout from Colleen Jordan set off another superb team move involving Amy O’Dowd and Ciara Smyth, ending with Róisín McManus once again showing composure and class to finish to the net for her second goal of the day.

Further points from the forward line saw Skryne close the game out with maturity, control, and determination — the hallmarks of their entire championship campaign.

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Substitutes & Panel Contribution

In the final quarter, Rachel O’Dowd, Sarah Pentony, Laura Mangan, and Ciara Maguire all entered the fray, bringing fresh legs and playing their part in closing out the win. Their impact was immediate, helping Skryne maintain their tempo right to the final whistle.

This was a true squad effort, with every player on the extended panel playing a role throughout the season.

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Final Whistle – Champions of Meath

When the final whistle blew, there were scenes of pure joy as Captain Lizzie Moreland and Vice-Captain Colleen Jordan lifted the Intermediate Championship Cup. It was a proud moment for the team, management, club, and community.

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🏆 Skryne Team:

Colleen Jordan
Ciara Cowley
Niamh Cowley
Ailish Lenehan
Kate Gibbons
Lizzie Moreland (C)
Aisling O’Connor
Catriona Keoghan
Áine Keogh
Fiona O’Rourke
Niamh O’Brien
Ciara Smyth (0-4)
Róisín Mc Manus (2-0)
Ellie Murphy (0-5)
Amy O’Dowd (0-5)

Subs used: Rachel O’Dowd, Sarah Pentony, Laura Mangan, Ciara Maguire

👥 Panel:

Colleen Jordan, Ciara Cowley, Niamh Cowley, Ailish Lenehan, Kate Gibbons, Lizzie Moreland, Aisling O’Connor, Catriona Keoghan, Áine Keogh, Fiona O’Rourke, Niamh O’Brien, Ciara Smyth, Róisín Mc Manus, Ellie Murphy, Amy O’Dowd, Rachel O’Dowd, Sarah Pentony, Laura Mangan, Ciara McGuire, Alana Cooney, Hannah Dardis, Molly Fitzpatrick, Ruth Moore, Ellie Kate McDonnell, Annie Ryan, Lucy Pentony, Aisling Kellegher, Miriam Hayden, Megan Cowley, Abbye Donnelly, Lisa Browne, Caoimhe Govern, Lily Reilly.

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🧠 Management Team:

Ronan Loftus, Martin Kennedy, Vinnie Naughton, Teresa Mangan (FLO), Annie Ryan

🐾 Team Mascot: Lightning McSkreen

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🛣️ Road to the Final:
•Round 1: Skryne 5-16 – Summerhill 0-11
•Round 2: Skryne 2-15 – Boardsmill 1-6
•Round 3: Skryne 4-7 – St. Ultans 2-11
•Semi-Final: Skryne 2-12 – St. Michael’s 1-11
•Final: Skryne 2-14 – St. Ultans 1-11

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🏆 A day to remember for Skryne Ladies — Intermediate Champions of Meath 2025.